Message Line

January 31, 2006

This is FEDEX MEC Communications with the Message Line for January 31,
2006.

Possible Scab Recruitment: The FDX MEC has been informed from highly
credible sources at World Airways that FedEx is being solicited to
recruit retired FedEx MD-11 pilots to be scabs. We have been told that
there is coordination between World and FedEx to hire retired pilots to
move World MD-11s idled by the World pilots' strike and that FedEx
management may assist in the effort. It has been confirmed through
conversations directly with a sampling of some of our retired pilots
that FedEx is attempting to recruit pilots to move unidentified MD-11s
in Africa. It is possible that these pilots are being asked to either
reposition aircraft, or possibly fly them for revenue during the strike.
Either of these actions would involve the crossing of a picket line
established by our fellow pilots in their quest to protect their jobs
from being outsourced.

We are confident that our retired pilots will have the character
necessary to refuse this chance to assist in breaking a strike. It is
extremely tough to imagine that retirees who are being squeezed in the
health care arena the way that ours are would be willing to assist in
the subjugation of a fellow pilot group.

We are in the process of contacting management to get their response to
what part, if any, they have in this type of cooperative, concerted
coercion of labor. If you hear of anyone being recruited or actually
performing these kinds of services, please contact the MEC.




- The truth only hurts if it should -

 

Why doesn't this surprise me? The really sad thing is that they will find the people that they need to move those airplanes.

On the flip side, we keep hearing that the company will be hiring straight into the right seat of the MD-11. Maybe we can snag a few of the World folks that are locked out and get them on our property.

 

I'll add a little info on this matter.

After our 30 cooling off period expired, the pilots of World Airways were able to begin self help. One of the flights was a flight from Houston to Luanda, Angola. The crew was Luanda and the union told the company that the pilots would delay the flight 12 hours as part of your self help program. The company responded by cancelling the flight.

This is the good part. They kicked the pilots out of the hotel and said, "get home on your own". Now if this were Newark, you'd say OK. This is Angola folks. We have armed escorts that take us to and from the plane and guard the crew at the layover hotel. Our management team kicked them to the curb. Thank god they are all safe now.

Here's the kicker. Not a single World pilot has crossed the line. Every checkairman except one (we will find out who he is shortly ) has quit and now World's shiny MD-11 is sitting on the ramp in Angola with no one to fly it home. What a shame

 

You have 450 to choose from

 

When are our fellow Fedex pilots going to stop IGMing. I GOT MINE!! I sure hope they are unable to recruit enough, but you know some will jump at this opportunity.

Good luck World pilots!!!!

 

Well said aircum. Speeking of "IGM", when is Fedex flight ops going to drop the "don't hire from the 'majors'" policy? Now that all of us major/"legacy" guys are making less than LCC's, etc., isn't it about time to drop that deal? I know Fedex got burned by a bunch of guys going back to their airline after early 90's furloughs, but if we are currently employeed, the only way to start at Fedex is to resign.

It seems like "IGM" is at play here too. How do the Fedex IGM guys think they "got theirs" - because Fred S. thought it would be a nice wage to pay a pilot, or because of the pilot pay bar that has been upheld by the "majors" over the years? Time for Fedex flight ops to drop the agenda and hire best qualified.

 

I could not agree with you more. But unfortunately our management and chief pilot are not going to waiver on the pilots actively employed at other airlines.

 

I wouldn't be so sure................For the past few years that has been the case, but it has not always been the case.
Take me for example.
I got hired here and I was actively employed at a legacy carrier.
Give it time................if they really plan to hire into the right seat of the MD11 and (Airbus for that matter), it wouldn't surprise me if that rule doesn't change and soon. Doesn't it make sense to hire some folks with widebody (Glass Cockpit) International experience? Rhetorical Again if it were up to me, most of those guys would get head of the line status.

 

Redeye,

Just for the record... I agree with you. I just was stating that in the past they have not waivered on their position. I agree why not take the experience that is out there and put it to good use.

 

Is it legal for world to have anybody with an MD11 type to fly the aircraft out of Africa? Is there scope to protect this in World's contract?